CHAPTER 11

**Once again..not mine.**

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This chapter, while like the other chapters, deals with some pretty sick shit. :P If you are offended, please just skip to the end. This chapter is an important part of the story. Please review. This chapter was very difficult to write, not because of the violence *Cause let's face it…sex/violence I live for* But…well…read it..and then let me know.

After removing the IV from my arm, Ranger slowly stripped the hospital gown, and helped me into the clothes that he had pulled out. There was a soft pair of black cotton panties (not racy or sexy just comfortable) a black sports bra that clasped in the back, a pair of Black yoga pants, and a soft blue shirt. As he bent down to help me with my socks I smiled.

"Blue, huh Ranger?" I ran my fingers through his hair.

"I like you in Blue, Babe." He looked into my yes and pull my hand to his lips, kissing the palm. "Plus, it was the softest most comfortable thing that I could find of yours in my closet."

"Thank you, Ranger. I mean it. For everything." I hid my eyes as he slipped on my sneakers and tied them.

"Babe, no price. Ever."

"I'm sorry I didn't come to you. I was scared, and embarrassed ..and..well, I didn't want you to get involved in this mess. I didn't want anything to happen to you, your family, your business, or my friends."

Ranger stood up, positioning himself between my legs and took my face gently in both of his hands. His eyes were soft, as was his touch as he gently rubbed my cheek with his thumb.

"There isn't anything I would endure for you, Stephanie. Nothing I would risk, nothing I wouldn't pay to make sure that you are safe and happy. If you are looking for forgiveness, you had it before you even spoke. I was angry, but not at you. You…" He chuckled. "You frustrate the shit out of me, but you never get me angry..not at you." He kissed my lips gently. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him tightly to me. His arms embraced me and for a moment we were just lost in the connection that we share, the fear that we experienced together was still right under the skin.

"Oh mi amor. Cuando estás en mis brazos yo finalmente siento que mi alma es todo. Yo no quiero volver a sentir como lo hice yo cuando te encontramos. Me sentía impotente, como si hizo esas cosas horribles que yo mismo. Yo sé que soy difícil, frustrante, arrogante y un culo. Pero, por favor .. oh Dios, por favor no vuelvas nunca dejar a mis brazos otra vez." He whispered, peppering kisses down my neck. ("Oh my love. When you are in my arms I finally feel like my soul is whole. I don't ever want to feel like I did when we found you. I felt helpless, like I did those horrible things to you myself. I know that I am difficult, frustrating, arrogant and an ass. But, please..oh god please don't ever ever leave my arms again.")

He pulled away, kissing me again on my lips. He tossed my purse into the duffel and looped the straps on his arm before picking me up bridal style and carrying me to the door.

"We are going to head to Rangeman first, and take the service elevator to the apartment. That way no one can see that we are going up. I need to pack a bag. Ella should already be up there packing for you."

"Ranger, how does Ella have all those things for me?" I asked. Frankly I have been wondering that for months, but never really was able to ask without feeling silly.

Ranger chuckled. "Well, Babe. Let's just say that I like to be prepared. She enjoys shopping for a woman every now and then, and says that you are like a giant Barbie doll for her. But, I do have to say that the more…um..fun items are things that I have picked out." He raised an eyebrow at me in a flirtatious way. "One day I will have to show you EVERYTHING that I have gotten for you." He winked, which made me giggle.

I snuggled into his arms as he walked out of the room, and down the hall. Nurses and hospital staff tried to make him stop to fill out forms or paperwork, but he kept on walking. When we reached the elevator Ranger turned to me.

"Babe, wanna give me a hand?" He lifted his chin in the direction of the elevator button. I pressed it.

"Mr. Manoso, you cannot take this woman out of my care!" the attending doctor snapped. "She needs medications and she needs to be looked after."

Ranger turned a cold glare at the doctor. "Give me her orders."

"What?" The doctor looked totally perplexed.

"Nurse!" Ranger yelled, the nurse that was there when I woke up jumped and came in front of us. "Bring me her chart. I will take it with me." The nurse looked between the doctor, Ranger and me. "Now!" Ranger bellowed. The Nurse ran to the nurse's station and pulled a thick chart from within a hanging file on the desk. She ran back, thrusting it towards him. "Babe?" I took the chart, and mouthed 'Sorry' as we walked into the elevator. "Basement Parking, Babe." Ranger said, his voice back to the gentle tone he had earlier.

I pressed the button and shifted slightly so that I could see his face. "How do you do that?" I said, pushing a lock of his silky black hair away from his forehead. He looked at me as if I sprouted a second head. I sighed. "How do you talk all gentle with me and then the next minute sound like you are going to eat someone's soul and then a second later you are all sweet and sultry Ranger again?"

Ranger's chest vibrated as he chuckled. He kissed my head. "Babe, there are a lot of things that I have learned over the years. The first is that I try my damnedest to separate work from personal life. That is actually a skill I acquired when I was a Drill Sgt."

"You were a Drill Sgt?" I asked, looking up into his face for a moment. "Do you still have the hat?" I smirked.

Ranger broke out in a full 1000 watt smile. "Yes babe. I still have the hat…I still have the uniform. I will show you sometime if you would like?"

"Oh I would like that." I flirted, running my finger around the collar of his shirt. "But…Ranger?"

"Yeah Babe." He said, as the elevator dinged open and we walked into the darkened Underground parking area.

"Can I wear it? Your hat, I mean. Maybe even part of your uniform?" I blushed, thinking about a fantasy that I had after watching Full Metal Jacket years ago. I wonder if Ranger would ever let me take control during sex, I thought. I bet I could even use a whistle.

Ranger stopped, looked down at me and laughed. No, I think bellowed would be the best way to describe it.

"Shit." I sighed. "Out loud again?"

"Babe, I love you." He kissed my forehead. "And yes. You can wear anything you want, even that whistle. You can be in control any time you want. You definitely don't need a hate or whistle to do that."

I could feel the blush rush over my body. We reached the Explorer, but Ranger stopped in front of it.

"Um..Babe?" He said again, this time with a mischievous tone. "I can't reach the keys." A big smile broke out across his face. "They are in my front left pocket."

"Oh Lord Ranger." I chuckled, and reached between us and into his front left pocket. I felt around for a moment (Ranger always had full pockets) before I felt the familiar round keychain that his fleet cars always had. Just as I was pulling my hand out I felt something very hard, very big and very familiar through the side of his pocket. I giggled. "Ranger, is that a gun in your pocket or are you happy to see me."

I pressed the unlock button and flipped the handle of the front passenger door. Ranger gently sat me down on the seat and then loomed over me.

"Babe, while I am heavily armed, THAT gun isn't dangerous. In fact, I know that it makes you VERY happy, just as happy as you make me." He kissed me, not sex-filled or hormonal but passionate and gentle. I blushed as he buckled me in and closed the door.

We were pulling into the underground Rangeman garage within 15 minutess of leaving the hospital. Ranger had called Tank ahead of time and had him to put the tapes on a loop. He parked next to the service elevator, which as standing open for us. Tank was waiting.

"Boss, they are in the basement as you ordered. Cameras are on a 3 min loop for the garage, and elevator. Your apartment and hallway are on a permanent loop."

"Thanks Tank." Ranger said, picking up the duffel bag and then scooping me up off the seat. "What is the status on our evac?"

"Everyone is accounted for. The plane is fueled and ready to go when you get thee. Ella is in you apartment. We picked up Rex, and will be at the field in a few minutes. Your ride will be here shortly. Ramirez is monitoring our feeds so when you are ready he will be too."

"Hector?" Ranger asked, walking towards the elevator.

"He is waiting in the basement. I told him not to kill anyone, but I am sure that he has made them feel very welcome." Tank's face split into a huge grin.

"Wonderful." Ranger said. "Thanks brother. Keep in contact. I want to know everything as it happens."

"You got it brother." Tank said, sliding into the Explorer and driving out of the garage as we ascended in the elevator.

"Ranger, your men are amazing. They seem to be able to do anything with absolutely no notice."

" Babe, there has been a plan in place for years. I just hoped that we would never have to use it." He smiled at me. The door whooshed open and he strode down the end of the hall to his apartment. Ella was standing in the doorway, waiting.

"Carlos, everything is set." Ella said, taking the duffel from his hand and the medical file from my lap. "I have everything packed and it's ready to go. Lester and Bobby are on their way up with their gear and Hector is waiting for you in the sublevel."

"Thank you Ella." Ranger rushed passed her carrying me into the bedroom and gently placing me on the bed. "Babe, you feeling okay?"

"I am golden, Ranger." I said, stiffly shifting to get more comfortable.

"Babe." It was the 'come on now, I wasn't born yesterday' tone. "Bobby will look over your chart the moment he gets here and give you something for the pain." He rushed into his closet and pushed aside a group of expensive black custom made suits, and flipping back a panel to reveal a safe. He quickly put in a code, not even bothering to cover his movements. The door swung open and he pulled out a large backpack with tons of pockets. He unzipped the main pocket and reached back into the safe pulling out a large manila envelope, three wads of cash that looked to be four inches thick with $100 bills, and a small velvet bag.

"Holy crap, Ranger!" I gasped. "What is all that?"

Ranger just laughed, and moved onto another hidden safe behind a panel hidden by what looked like a shoe rack filled with black shoes and boots. "Babe, you know I like to be prepared." He turned to look at me as he dumped the contents of that safe into the backpack. I shook my head and watched as he systematically went thru his weapons picking out six that he thought would be the most useful, then cramming massive amounts of ammunition into the backpack as well.

"That is one crazy backpack. It's like a freaking TARDIS."

"Tardis?" Ranger asked, stopping to look at me perplexed.

"You know..TARDIS. Time and Relative Dimensions in Space. " I guess that didn't help him any, because he just turned more and placed his hands on his hips. I sighed. "It's bigger on the inside then it is on the outside."

Recognition immediately hit him and he laughed, turning to continue with his packing. "Doctor Who, Babe?" He chuckled again. "Having trouble sleeping again?"

"Shush you." I mocked hurt. "Doctor Who is a classic and isn't rivaled by any other television program today."

"You think the new guy is hot, huh?" Ranger smirked carrying the backpack over to the bed. It sunk don the mattress a good three inches.

"Number one." I raised a finger. "He is amazing because he is the doctor, I am just blessed that he is good looking. And Number Two. "I raised another finger. "How the hell do you plan on carrying that bag? You and me both haven't ever made this mattress dent and we were doing a lot more physical activity." This stopped Ranger in his tracks. A huge Cheshire cat grin spread across his face.

"Oh Babe, we didn't dent the bed because you were floating the whole time. And I can carry anything."

"Anything?" I snorted, trying to calm the blush as the memory of our last romp flickered through my mind.

"Babe, I once carried Tank by myself across swamp for 18 miles." He finished zipping up all of the pockets. "I think I can handle this."

"Holy crow!" I visualized Ranger with Tank on his back like a kid at the zoo. Ranger was a big guy, but Tank..well..he was TANK. "You really are Batman!"

Ranger laughed, tugging at one of my curls.

"Ranger!" Les' voice echoed through the apartment.

"Bedroom." Ranger called out, kissing me gently on the nose.

"Man, we gotta get moving if you wanna go downstairs and have a little chat." Les looked at his watch. "We are going to be cutting it close. Brown and I just brought the bags that Ella packed down to the van."

"Babe, Bobby is going to stay with you for a minute. I need to run to the basement." He pulled open his bedside drawer and pulled out a 9mm Beretta, checked to see if it was loaded and then holstered it.

"Wait! You can't go down there without me." I said, trying to pull myself up to stand. Les and Ranger both lunged at me, gently putting me back down on the bed. "I'm not dead. This whole mess is my fault. I want to be involved."

"Babe, you don't want to see what is going to happen there." Ranger knelt down beside me and put my hand in his.

"Ranger, they did this to me. Granted I didn't stop them, or fight it. But I am the one they hurt. I want to be there." We stared into each other's eyes , Ranger searching mine for something, anything that would say that I wasn't serious.

He sighed, and pulled me into his arms and walked into the living room. Bobby was standing at the table going over my chart.

"Ranger. I have everything that I think Stephanie is going to need."

"Bobby, change of plans. You are coming with us. Take the chart and your gear and grab my duffel will you. Babe needs some more pain meds."

"What?" He said, staring at me and then at Ranger.

"Let's go." Ranger said, walking past both Bobby and Les to his office. "Les, open the door." Les grabbed the bookcase and pulled it to one side revealing a small staircase. Ranger sweapt through the entrance and began to descend the stairs. Lights flickered seconds before we would reach them. His pace was quick, but thankfully his gracefulness made it so that I wasn't jostled at all. We rounded the last bend in the stair case to see Hector holding open a doorway. When we walked through I saw all of men from last night, handcuffed and sobbing against the wall. Joe was laying in the middle of the room, bleeding from his nose and various cuts on his face. He tipped his head up and laughed.

"Fuck my life." He groaned, rolling over on to his stomach and getting up on all fours to stand. "If I knew that this is the kind of party that you wanted, we could have found a better venue."

Ranger strode forward, with me still in his arms and kicked Morelli in the face causing him to fly backwards and land hard on his back.

"I am going to have you begging for me to kill you by the end of our conversation tonight, Morelli." Ranger grit out between clenched teeth.

Hector came up behind Ranger and touched his shoulder. Ranger turned and Hector put out his hands, as if to say Give me her. Ranger nodded and kissed my forehead before placing me in Hector's arms.

Morelli groaned again, tipping to one side and sneering. "Fuck Cupcake, I thought after last night you would be satisfied. But I should have known, considering the way you took all that dick. You are a professional, Cupcake."

Ranger roared and flew at Morelli, punching him in the face over and over screaming out, what I can assume were very personal obscenities, in Spanish. After a minute, Les pulled Ranger off of him. Morelli was coughing and spewing his own blood, but still managed to cock a smile and spit towards Ranger.

"Fuck man. I know you are going to kill me. You can even do it rough. I like it rough, right Cupcake?"

Ranger went to go after him again, but Les held onto him. "Carlos! We need to get answers first." Ranger took some deep breaths, to calm himself. While his chest was still heaving with adrenaline, he nodded his head and remained cool.

"Cop, you are going to tell us how deep this shit goes. Why they are so hell bent on hurting Stephanie, and why the fuck you would go along with it."

Morelli laughed and pulled himself up into a sitting position, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Why do you think that I would tell you that?"

Lester leaned forward and quietly spoke in Morelli's ear. "Well, you see. Hector here. He likes it when men fight him. He likes it a lot. In fact, it really gets him rather excited. Now, I know you like it rough, but I do have to warn you, There isn't much that Hector can't do and when he is done I am sure that we could come up with an arrangement to make you his personal….pet."

Morelli's face paled and he whipped his head around to Hector. Hector blew him a kiss and tipped up his head at him. I was floored.

"Would you like to see an example?" Les spoke again. Pushing a stray piece of Joe's hair off of his face. "I am pretty sure that we could even find another to help Hector if he….got tired."

"You're fucking sick!" Morelli shouted, struggling to move away from Lester.

"Sick?" Les took a step closer. "Oh that is right, Cop. I am sick. I would like nothing more to do to you what you put Beautiful through." Les looked back at me. "Unfortunately for you, I don't care so much for dick. I am a pussy man myself. Which is a good thing for you I would expect."

"What?" Morelli shook his head, fear and confusion seeped through him.

Les kneeled down and grabbed Morelli's hand and placed it on his crotch. Morelli's eyes popped out of his head and he looked from where his hand was to Les' face and then back again.

"Although, the satisfaction of knowing that I could hurt you is rather swaying to my decision." Les released Joe's hand and smirked. "Tell me, Cop. Have you ever been fucked by a man with a 10 inch dick?" My jaw dropped open. Holy fuck, 10 inches! Would that even fit!?

Hector whispered into my ear. "Bonita, His has nothing on mine. I am a good 13 even on my bad day." I blushed from toes to the top of my head. Fuck I said that out loud. Hector smiled and kissed me on my forehead. "And trust me, with proper motivation a woman's body can handle anything that God created."

"You are all fucking sick!" Morellie roared again. Scrambling to get away from Les and (I am assuming) Hector.

"You haven't seen anything, Morelli. We haven't even brought out our tools yet." An evil grin passed over Ranger's face.

"Wait!" I cried, struggling to get out of Hector's arms. "Put me down Hector." He did, but held my waist as I staggered over to where Ranger and Morelli were.

"Ranger, you can't do that." I said. Ranger looked at me questioningly, and Morelli sighed in relief. "Yet."

"Babe?" Ranger said.

"I need my purse first." I turned to Bobby who was standing near the door, shifted and unzipped the duffel bag. He pulled out my black leather bag and handed it to me. I dug through it and took out a small black and white picture. It was almost four months old, but it was all that I had left. "Joe, do you remember telling me how you wanted us to get married, and have kids, and that I was going to be a great Burg housewife?"

"Yeah." He ground out. I turned the picture towards him.

"This was your child." I thrust it in his face. The small ultrasound picture was the only thing I had left of the child that Joe took from me. "I was pregnant when Dougie's basement blew up. Do you remember what you made me to the first time to repay my debt?"

Morelli's face went even whiter. "

"Oh you do, huh?" I said, pushing the picture back into my purse and handing it back to Bobby. You beat me until I could barely move. Then you raped me until you couldn't get it up. Then do you remember what you did?"

"Cupcake, please." Morelli begged.

"Do you remember!?" I yelled, clenching my fists. "Tell them."

"I….I….I kept going." He whispered.

"Kept going?" I scoffed. "TELL THEM!"

"Fuck." He hung his head. "Please Cupcake."

"Fuck you, Morelli." I kicked at him. "You called in Mooch, and then your brother Tony and then who did you call?!"

Morelli was sobbing. "I called Dickie." He took a deep breath.

"And?"

"When he as done, he tied you to the kitchen table."

I slapped him. "Tell them you spineless bastard!"

"We took turns fucking her with anything we could find."

Ranger, who had been trembling with anger ,snapped. He begin to slam Morelli's head into the concrete and hit him anywhere he could reach. Les pulled him off before Morelli could lost consciousness.

"Carlos. Let me and Hector take care of this for a little bit." Les pulled Ranger's hands from around Morelli's neck. "He doesn't deserve to just die quickly."

Ranger loosened his grip and went to me, scooping me up in his arms and hugging me tight to him. He rushed me out of the room and collapsed to his knees in front of me. He clung to my legs, pulling me as close to him as he could get. I slid down onto the floor on my knees so that I could see him. He pulled me tigher, his head in my lap and his arms tightly wrapped around my waist.

"Ranger." I whispered as I stroked his hair.

He looked up at me, tears welling in his eyes. He looked so broken. I burst into silent tears, kissing his face and wiping the tears from his beautiful face.

"Oh God Ranger. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." I whispered over and over again. I kisses his lips softly, running my fingers through his hair. "Te Amo, Carlos. Te Amo. I'm so sorry, please forgive me."
Tears were freely falling now, sliding down my cheeks and landing on his arms . We were forehead to forehead, my hands on either side of his face.

"Steph, I failed you." He finally spoke. Placing his head once more on my lap. I pushed up his chin, so that he faced me again.

"You didn't fail me Ranger. Joe did this. Not you."

"Babe, you had a child." He touched my belly softly, rubbing it as if it would magically erase what had happened. "Even if it wasn't mine…it was part of you. I should have known. I should have protected you. I failed you and if I had done was I was supposed to you would not have lost the baby."

Another tear slipped from his eyes, I wiped it away and kissed him on his lips. He tried to pull away, but I wouldn't let him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled myself to him. I nibbled and ran my tongue over his lip until he opened his mouth for me. The kiss became intense, as he pulled me into his lap and wrapped my legs around his waist. There was nothing sexual about this kiss. This kiss was emotional. Tears still ran down our faces, mixing with our kiss. When we broke we were breathless. It was as if our souls had met somewhere in that kiss, that even if we didn't survive today that we would forever be together.

"Te amo, Stephanie." He smiled, kissing my lips softly. "Te Amo."

"Te amo, Carlos." I kissed him again, cuddling into his arms.

We sat there outside that door. Even through the screams begging for mercy, the sickening crunch of bones, we sat embraced. Knowing that no matter what…we were together.